After more than a year of online learning, certain groups of students and staff at some San Francisco schools began meeting in person in mid-April. For tens of thousands of students, distance learning continues. The school board and district intend to give every student the option of coming back full time in the fall. But […]
Category: Coronavirus
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Back to School, Coronavirus, Education
SF School District Charts Paths to Reopening
Some students in the San Francisco Unified School District are back in classrooms — as of April 26, a district statement indicated more than 19,000 children had returned to campuses. But there are tens of thousands more students in the district. The Board of Education has resolved to give all students the option to return […]
Posted inCity Hall, Coronavirus, Government & Politics, Housing
Nonprofit Obstructing Rent Aid for Thousands of San Franciscans
A local group that worked with San Francisco on a public program to allocate rental relief funds is keeping a list of thousands of applicants from city staff, an official confirmed Friday. That has made it impossible to follow up with the applicants and give them additional help.
Q Foundation created the web application tool for rent assistance through San Francisco’s Give2SF COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.
Posted inCoronavirus, Economy & Business, Housing, Social Services
SF Residents Get Help Jumping Through Hoops for State’s Rent Aid
Many renters will need state aid to pay back rents and avoid eviction. Nonprofit groups are walking them through the process.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Coronavirus, Health, Labor
Gig Worker Classification Worsens Inequities During Pandemic, Organizer Says
Drivers for apps like Uber, Lyft and DoorDash have said that being classified as independent contractors while working during a pandemic means they face the impossible choice between paying their bills and managing their exposure risk. Cherri Murphy, a lead organizer for Gig Workers Rising, spoke with “Civic” about drivers’ circumstances.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Coronavirus, Government & Politics, Public Safety
To Stop Asian Hate, Invest in Prevention, Victim Support, Advocate Says
Nearly 4,000 incidents of anti-Asian attacks — including verbal and physical assaults — were reported to Stop AAPI Hate, a national tracking project launched by a coalition of activist groups last year, as of late February 2021. Cynthia Choi, co-executive director of Chinese for Affirmative Action, one of the founding partners of Stop AAPI Hate, reflected on the increase in attacks with “Civic.”
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Coronavirus, Essential Workers, Labor, Social Services
Yes, Mail-Order Boxes Are a Pain for Sanitation Workers
Some customers had their boxes broken down and neatly bundled, which Recology recycling driver Gareth Willey said helps, Willey but too often, he would open a door to a basement and find the boxes piled high, and would have to figure out a way to get all the material out onto the street and into the truck.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Community, Coronavirus, Health, Social Services, Vaccine Distribution
Campaign Phone Bankers Pivot to Vaccine Outreach
Former state senate candidate and public bank advocate Jackie Fielder recently launched a political action committee, Daybreak PAC, and has shifted some campaign organizing infrastructure toward a vaccine access effort. Some phone bank volunteers now make calls to seniors living in neighborhoods like the Bayview, to ask if they would like to get vaccinated and if they face any barriers to doing so.
Posted inCoronavirus, Economy & Business, Housing
Seeking Rent Relief? State Says Apply Now. Here’s How.
San Francisco residents who are behind on their rent and other housing costs could soon get financial relief, thanks to government programs designed to help those who qualify.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Coronavirus, Essential Workers, Labor, Transportation
Muni Operators Face Threats From Coronavirus, Hostile Passengers
Hundreds of Muni workers have fallen ill with the coronavirus and two have died, said Roger Marenco, president of the Transport Workers Union Local 250A. For others, he said, the pressures of the job have only been worsened by the additional dangers posed by a global pandemic.